Yankees look so glovely  —  Make 'em Stop-Stop Sox  —  Aaron Guiel hasn't been in the Bronx all that long.  But in his short stint, he has seen things he rarely saw during his days in Kansas City, where he spent his first 4-1/2 years in the majors.  —  "Since I've been here …

Balls Fly and Records Fall for Mets in Chicago  —  CHICAGO, July 16 — The Wrigley Field grounds crew can thank the Mets for livening up a drab Sunday evening.  In honor of the Mets' mind-boggling sixth inning, Cubs fans sitting in the sun-baked bleachers threw empty beer cups and home run balls onto …

Escobar Is Keeping the Pressure On  —  PITTSBURGH, July 16 — Alex Escobar has been the victim of a crowded outfield, seeing his playing time decrease since the Nationals acquired Austin Kearns from Cincinnati in an eight-player trade.  And while the situation could change again …

GM Interview: Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Part I  —  Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing one of the bright young minds in the game of baseball today.  Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, agreed to speak with us …

Five-run fifth dooms Sox to defeat  —  Boston batters struggle to solve Oakland starter Blanton  —  BOSTON — Through four innings, Red Sox righty Kyle Snyder was looking like he could be the ace of any staff in baseball, and not the No. 5 starter that Boston called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

With stress fracture in foot, Twins' Hunter placed on DL  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins placed center fielder Torii Hunter on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after learning the five-time Gold Glove award winner has a stress fracture in his left foot.

Willis makes day special  —  Brandon Martin, an 8-year-old Dontrelle Willis fan from Lauderdale Lakes, spent part of Sunday playing catch with, then taking batting practice against his favorite Marlin in an outing arranged by Chef David's Kids.  —  Brandon, who is afflicted …

YA GOTTA BELIEVE  —  WRIGHT STARS IN AD FOR FAITH HEALER  —  July 17, 2006 — TO LIFT a line from The Doors, strange days have found us.  —  So it's Saturday afternoon and we're watching the Mets on Ch. 11.  They're playing the Cubs in Wrigley, when, during a commercial break, David Wright …

Lofgren emerges as top pitching prospect  —  EX-SERRA STANDOUT EXCELS IN CLASS A  —  Chuck Lofgren hit more home runs than Barry Bonds at Serra High, but it's what Lofgren has done since he put down the bat that has turned him into one of the hottest prospects in baseball.

Top pick remains unsigned  —  Royals fear that if deal is not reached soon, pitcher won't play at all in the minor leagues this season.  —  DETROIT |  - DETROIT |  It's day 40 and counting for the stalled negotiations between the Royals and top draft pick Luke Hochevar, a right-hander represented by Scott Boras.

Weekend Dish: July 16  —  Heading into Sunday, four pitchers were tied for the minor league lead in wins with 12: Triple-A Sacramento righthander Jason Windsor, Double-A West Tenn lefthander Greg Smith, high Class A Rancho Cucamonga righthander Nick Adenhart, and high Class A Kinston lefthander Chuck Lofgren.

Petco gets case of Coors  —  Pitcher's park a homer haven for Braves  —  No one is sure exactly why, but Petco Park is playing much smaller this year.  —  Whether the enhanced home run climate works for or against the Padres remains to be fully seen, but the home team is grateful the Braves won't soon return.